Analysis
In Profile: Aberdeen Standard Investments
The LP's global head of private equity speaks to Unquote about new projects, co-investment, secondaries and first time funds
Turbo-charged: How leverage is powering up secondaries
The use of leverage in secondaries has soared, as funds are continually seeking new ways to boost spending power
In Profile: Deutsche Private Equity
GP has deployed 44% of its third fund within 15 months of the vehicle holding its final close on €575m
CEE exit activity picks up in Q1 as buyouts drop
First quarter saw a significant drop in both buyout volume and aggregate value in the region, though the number of exits is up, year-on-year
Nordic buyout market soars in Q1
Acquisitions in the region reached the highest aggregate value ever recorded in the first quarter of the year
Benelux's biotech and pharma buyouts market in rude health
Buyout houses are becoming more attracted to assets in the Benelux biotech and pharma spaces, typically the preserve of venture capital investors
Japanese insurance companies eye DACH funds
Insurance companies in Japan are considering increasing their exposure to European funds, with DACH GPs most likely to benefit
French VC fundraising shifts towards sector specialisation
A number of specialist VC funds have held first or final closes in recent months, bringing distinct advantages and risks in equal measure
Consumer uncertainty sees retail feeling the pinch
PE-backed retailers are increasingly following casual dining chains in showing signs of struggling under the downturn in UK consumer confidence
Italian election: uncertainty on the PE horizon
Italian election is the latest European electoral result to have raised uncertainty, though local players remain confident about PE activity
Mega-buyout volumes hit post-crisis Q1 high
Combined with Q4 2017, the past six months have represented the most active consecutive quarters for €1bn-plus buyouts since 2007
Impact agenda: Attracting institutional capital
Global PE firms are launching impact funds tailored to appeal to institutional investors
In Profile: Triton Partners
Founder Peder Prahl talks to Unquote about the GP's turnaround approach and its funds' more pronounced J curves compared to regional peers
EIF’s push into private capital management
The European Investment Fund is aiming to raise up to €2.1bn in private capital for a new investment platform focused on venture and growth vehicles
Summa's Reynir Indahl on Nordic fundraising, ESG
Ahead of the upcoming Mergermarket Nordic M&A and Private Equity Forum on 15 March in Stockholm, Summa Equity co-founder and managing partner Reynir Indahl talks to Unquote about fundraising, and value creation in ESG strategies in the region
European corporates eye UK sales processes
International trade buyers are flexing their muscles in the UK market, with European corporates particularly active
Alternative lending thrives in the Netherlands
Only the UK, France and Germany have seen more deals involving alternative debt, with Netherlands activity growing 31% year-on-year in 2017
Italian venture moves upmarket as overall activity dips
Venture dealflow and aggregate value decreased in 2017 following five years of growth, as VCs turned their attention to later-stage rounds
LP direct investment: straight to the source
Limited partners are striking out on their own to source their investments directly, with numeorus new strategies emerging
Nordic tech's transatlantic ambition
Nordic startups are increasingly looking to find backers with ties to the US market to support their growth strategies
Deals accelerate in German online marketplaces
Three transactions in the space within the first two months of 2018 saw PE firms invest a combined €500m and cash out more than €700m
Casual dining: overbooked and undercooked
British PE owners are facing challenges as the sector shows signs of strain due to oversupply and macroeconomic headwinds
Italian private debt issuance jumps 35% in 2017
Southern Europe's two biggest markets differ greatly in their uptake of private debt, with Spanish players facing strong competition from banks
Private debt funds expand market share in Germany
Growing use of use of first-out, second-out unitranche leads to private debt funds more than doubling their share of German mid-market deals
